State board suggests new regulations for medical marijuana

The Washington State Liquor Control Board today recommended a series of changes in state law to mesh the largely unchecked medical marijuana market with the heavily-regulated legal pot industry launching next year.

Collective gardens would be eliminated but authorized medical marijuana patients would be allowed up to six plants for personal use, under the recommendations sent by the board to the Legislature today.

Otherwise patients would need to purchase their marijuana products at one of the 334 state-licensed pot retailers expected to open in 2014. They won't be required to pay sales and other taxes if they have proper identification as a medical marijuana patient, according to a summary of the recommendations.

The three-member board also agreed adults aged 18 to 20 should be allowed access to medical marijuana with proper authorization from a health care professional and children under the age of 18 should be allowed to use marijuana with parent or guardian consent.

Under Initiative 502, recreational marijuana use is legal only for adults 21 years and older.

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